Ionospheric Duct Virtual Transmitters for GPS Solar Flare Resilience
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Solution Overview
Problem
Global positioning systems (GPS) can be rendered inoperable by massive solar flares or other events, and they do not function well in polar regions or underwater, leading to disruptions in positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) information.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing ionospheric ducts generated by high-frequency carrier signals to create virtual transmitters that provide PNT information, using low-frequency signals that are not affected by solar or geomagnetic disturbances, allowing for accurate determination of position, navigation, and timing even when GPS is compromised.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS systems are used for positioning and navigation, then PNT information can be provided globally, but the system becomes vulnerable to solar flares, geomagnetic disturbances, and fails in polar regions and underwater
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ionospheric ducts as intermediaries to transmit PNT signals. These ducts are created by heating the ionosphere to form plasma channels that guide low-frequency radio waves from ground-based transmitters to target areas. This intermediary approach allows signals to bypass harmful solar interference and reach receivers in regions where GPS fails, including polar areas and underwater locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the satellite-based mechanical system (GPS) with a ground-based electromagnetic field system. Instead of relying on satellites that are vulnerable to solar flares, the system uses ionospheric plasma channels to guide electromagnetic waves, substituting a ground-controlled field-based approach for the space-based mechanical system.
2Reliability
If high-frequency carrier signals are used to generate ionospheric ducts, then PNT signals can be transmitted through the ionosphere, but energy consumption increases due to heating requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic high-frequency carrier signals to heat and maintain ionospheric ducts. Rather than continuous heating, the periodic action allows the ionospheric plasma to be refreshed and maintained in a conductive state, reducing overall energy consumption while ensuring reliable signal transmission paths are available when needed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables reliable PNT information provision across a selected geographic area, including areas where traditional GPS systems fail, such as polar regions and underwater, by using ionospheric ducts to transmit PNT data through ground waves with minimal dispersion and interference.
Implementation Method 1
selecting the predetermined frequency and amplitude to heat a plasma area in which the ionospheric ducts are generated
Implementation Method 2
using ionospheric ducts to transmit PNT data through ground waves with minimal dispersion and interference
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to position, navigation and timing (PNT) methods, systems, and transmitters. A method comprises receiving radio-frequency (RF) signals from a plurality of virtual transmitters and determining PNT information of a target object based on information obtained from the RF signals. A system comprises a plurality of virtual transmitters and a receiver. The plurality of virtual transmitters is configured to transmit radio-frequency (RF) signals that include PNT information. The receiver is configured to determine PNT information of a target object based on the PNT information. A transmitter comprises a high-frequency (HF) carrier generator, a waveform generator, and an antenna system. The HF carrier generator generates an HF carrier signal. The waveform generator generates a waveform that includes PNT information. The antenna system transmits the HF carrier signal to generate a subject ionospheric duct. The antenna system is further configured to transmit the waveform through the ionospheric duct.